Why you should NOT build a second brain

I have a confession.

I used to be obsessed with Notion templates.

• Notion giveaways on X? Sign me up.

• Only 24 hours to get it free? Click, duplicate, dopamine explosion.

• A template to increase my arm size by 1 inch in 30 days? Inject me now!

(Just kidding, I hate needles!)

I don’t know about you but when I get a curiosity itch, I scratch like a mangey dog in the summer heat.

It could be a multi-passionate problem (or maybe it’s ADHD).

I wasted way too much time with Notion template aesthetics and the potentially “perfect” life organization system.

• Content ecosystem

• Habit tracking

• Daily tasks

• Projects

You name it.

I was excited about being lazy and letting technology work for me.

But when you tinker with features that don't make you money or bring you joy, you're procrastinating.

And when you work on new opportunities instead of what's in front of you, you're procrastinating.

Shiny object syndrome is kryptonite for creators with multiple interests

But damn, I really wanted to build the Second Brain like these guys were showing off on YouTube and X.

Here's the truth:

If you get overwhelmed easily, you shouldn't build a second brain.

Why?

It's a nice to have but not necessary. So here's what I recommend instead.

Use the simplest tool you're familiar with to get started.

Don't tell the productivity bros but you can totally get away with apple notes or a journal.

You don't need Obsidian to remember everything for you or Kortex to write viral content.

A complicated system takes more willpower than it’s worth to maintain.

That same energy could be used on your main thing!

I like to keep my second brain super simple.

1. I use a template to write my newsletters.

2. I capture my ideas in a Notion database or pocket journal.

3. And I use a journal or whiteboard to braindump and make sense of those captured ideas.

That's it.

I have Google Calendar and Amplenote to organize my todos but they're very basic and easy to follow.

You can see the exact system I use if you decide to get the Focus Fix.

The benefits of a simplified system follow the next 2 Laws of Productivity:

1. Outsource - What recurring tasks can software do for me? (like reminders and procedures)

2. Automate - How can I use AI to do non-creative tasks?

Outsourcing doesn’t just mean paying a VA to do your work.

It’s as easy as writing all the steps involved in creating your weekly YouTube videos so you get don’t bogged down with decision fatigue.

Automation can be as simple as using ChatGPT for research or having it calculate data 1000x faster than you can.

Some last words of advice:

Don’t use a new app unless you need a specific function (like Notion databases for idea ranking).

Test one app for at least a month before adding a new one (to reduce overwhelm).

Because a second brain is another thing to manage on your cancerous to-doom list.

So use what you have immediately available to you – like pen, paper, and a calendar.

And don’t buy the hype.

Because friction is the enemy of focus.

Hell, if you’re into chalkboards or an Etch A Sketch, I won’t judge if that brings more money, energy, or joy in your life.

Stay calm, clear, and creative,

Brand Marz.

P.S.

Using a simple second brain helps you manage all of your interests.

This is a real struggle for many (myself included).

So I created a full guide on how I handle all my interests without burning out.

It’s practical, simple, and takes only 5 minutes to read.

Check it out here if you haven’t already!